New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Faces Possible Legal Scrutiny Over ICE Webinar

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could be stepping into legal trouble after recent comments and actions surrounding immigration enforcement sparked calls for an official investigation. The controversy centers on a webinar she hosted, which aimed to inform undocumented immigrants about their rights when interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem weighed in on the matter during an appearance on Fox News with host Sean Hannity. She said it would be “entirely appropriate” for the Department of Justice to examine whether Ocasio-Cortez’s actions violated any laws.

Ocasio-Cortez had previously issued a challenge to former ICE Acting Director Tom Homan after he suggested referring her case to the DOJ. Speaking at a town hall in Queens, she defiantly said, “Tom Homan said he was going to refer me to DOJ because I’m using my free speech rights in order to advise people of their constitutional protections. To that I say: Come for me. Do I look like I care?”

Responding to those comments, Noem stated, “I think the Department of Justice absolutely should look into this situation.” She criticized not only public officials who might be encouraging illegal behavior but also judges who take what she called “radical action” to protect individuals in the country unlawfully. Noem added, “The American people are sick of these people abusing our system to try to promote an agenda.”

She further accused Democrats of leveraging fear to control voters and claimed they were siding with dangerous individuals, including “known terrorists,” putting the country’s future at risk.

The heart of the controversy lies in a webinar Ocasio-Cortez held in February titled “Know Your Rights With ICE.” In it, she discussed how ICE agents allegedly use harsh tactics and rhetoric to criminalize immigrants and normalize aggressive enforcement practices. The webinar aimed to inform immigrants about their legal protections under the Constitution.

Ocasio-Cortez’s office also distributed a flyer for immigrants that included advice such as: “You do not have to open the door” to ICE agents without a valid warrant signed by a judge. It suggested that if ICE shows up at a residence, residents could ask officers to slip the warrant under the door instead of letting them in immediately.

Her office even offers free legal assistance to undocumented immigrants to help them fight deportation.

Tom Homan, speaking on Sean Hannity’s Fox News program, revealed that he had referred the matter to the Deputy Attorney General for review. “She wants to say that she knows how to teach people their constitutional rights,” Homan said, “but what she’s really doing is teaching people how to evade law enforcement.”

Homan warned that some individuals benefiting from Ocasio-Cortez’s advice may include dangerous criminals. “We are still looking for child predators in New York and her district,” he said. “Some of the people she wants to teach about constitutional rights are people who have been convicted of rape or child sex crimes.”

He emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws that Congress has passed, noting that lawmakers like Ocasio-Cortez helped write and fund those laws. “You’d think she’d want ICE to enforce the laws,” he said, “but instead, she’s making enforcement harder and more dangerous.”

Host Sean Hannity questioned whether Ocasio-Cortez’s actions were protected free speech or if they crossed a line into aiding illegal behavior. “When does it cross the line into helping someone break the law?” he asked.

“That’s exactly the question I asked the Deputy Attorney General,” Homan responded. He said he brought up situations where people physically interfere with law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs, hinting at the possible legal ramifications of such interference.

The situation has ignited a broader debate about the balance between free speech rights and potential obstruction of law enforcement. Supporters of Ocasio-Cortez argue she is simply informing people of their legal rights and protecting vulnerable communities. Critics, however, see her actions as encouraging illegal behavior and putting public safety at risk.

The controversy also touches on larger political battles over immigration policies, enforcement priorities, and the role elected officials play in shaping or resisting those policies.

As the Department of Justice weighs whether to open an investigation, the spotlight remains on how far public officials can go in advising citizens, especially those without legal status, about their interactions with law enforcement agencies like ICE.

For now, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez remains defiant, standing by her message and her right to free speech, even as law enforcement leaders call for accountability.